Texans coach Bill O'Brien sporting Astros cap

Published 3:47 pm, Monday, October 16, 2017

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has been cheering on the Astros this season and regularly exchanges text messages with Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has been cheering on the Astros this season and regularly exchanges text messages with Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has been cheering on the Astros this season and regularly exchanges text messages with Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has been cheering on the Astros this season and regularly exchanges text messages with Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt talk to Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) after throwin the first pitch to him before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive back J.J. Watt talk to Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) after throwin the first pitch to him before the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid

O'Brien grew up in Massachusetts rooting for the Red Sox, but has become an Astros fan. He's especially passionate about them as they're playing the New York Yankees in the playoffs.

"I'm a big Astros fan," O'Brien said. " mean, that game the other day – (Justin) Verlander on the mound, (José) Altuve racing around the bases with that winning run. That was a great baseball game. The crowd was into it. Big fan of (Astros manager) A.J. Hinch, big fan of the Astros and even bigger fan now that they're playing the Yankees."

"I haven't texted him since after the Red Sox series, but I did send him a text there," O'Brien said. "And he's a great guy, he texted me right back. He mentioned our team and good luck against Cleveland and things like that. So, he's watching us and we're appreciative of that, but we wish him the best of luck and his team."